Mechanism of membrane damage mediated by human eosinophil cationic protein

Nature volume 321, pages613–616(1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests a role for eosinophil granule proteins in contact-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity1–3. Cytolysis may involve a secretory phenomenon whereby granule proteins are released at the site of contact between eosinophil and target cells1–4. Several basic proteins have been isolated from eosinophil granules, including the major basic protein5–7, eosinophil cationic protein8,9, eosinophil protein-X10 and eosinophil peroxidase11. One of the major granule proteins of human eosinophils is the eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)3,8,9 which has been shown to damage schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni at concentrations as low as 10−7 M (Ref. 12). Here, we describe the formation of functional channels by purified human ECP. The transmembrane pores formed by ECP are relatively voltage-insensitive and non-ion-selective, suggesting a role for channel formation by ECP in target cell damage mediated by eosinophils. Channel formation by granule proteins of immune effector cells13–20 may represent a general and effective mechanism of target cell killing.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York, 10021, USA

    John Ding-E Young & Zanvil A. Cohn

  2. Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden, S-75014

    Christer G. B. Peterson & Per Venge

Authors
  1. John Ding-E Young
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  2. Christer G. B. Peterson
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  3. Per Venge
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  4. Zanvil A. Cohn
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Young, JE., Peterson, C., Venge, P. et al. Mechanism of membrane damage mediated by human eosinophil cationic protein. Nature 321, 613–616 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/321613a0

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